Obituary of Barbara Ann Berger

Barbara Ann Berger (nee Pisano), 82, of Garden City, NY, passed away on December 20, 2023. She was born on November 20, 1941, in Brooklyn, NY. Barbara was the beloved wife of Charles R. Berger, whom she married on June 20, 1965, at St. Martin of Tours R.C. Church in Amityville, NY.

Barbara had a diverse and accomplished career. After working in the fashion industry in New York City and as an independent insurance agent, she discovered her passion for special education. Barbara served as a Special Education Teacher's Assistant in the Garden City Public Schools from 1989 through 2001. In 2002, she founded her own LLC company, Exceptional Student Learning Services, where she provided special education services to children from birth to high school until 2022.

Barbara obtained her education from Amityville High School before pursuing an Associate degree in Retail Marketing from the Fashion Institute of Technology. She later earned a Bachelor degree in Special Education (1990) from Empire State College and a Master degree in Special Education (1992) from Hofstra University.

Barbara was a devoted member of St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church in Garden City, NY. She found solace and strength in her faith. For their 50^th wedding anniversary in 2015, Barbara and Charles renewed their vows at St. Patrick’s Church in Villa Ludovisi, Rome, Italy.

In her spare time, Barbara cherished moments spent with her granddaughter, Kathryn. Their bond brought immense joy to her life.

Barbara is survived by her loving husband, Charles R. Berger; her daughters, Allison (Berger) Maloney and Rachel K. Berger; her granddaughter, Kathryn Maloney; her son-in-law, Michael Maloney; her brother-in-law, Ron Bennett; her nephews, Michael Bennett and Denny Bennett (and his wife Marie). She was preceded in death by her sister, Joyce (Pisano) Bennett, her mother, Jean Pisano, and her father, Salvatore Pisano.

Family and friends are invited to attend a wake on Thursday, December 28, from 2-4:30 pm and 7-9:30 pm at Powell Funeral Home, located at 67 Broadway, Amityville, NY 11701. A Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, December 29, at 9:30 am at St. Martin of Tours Church, 37 Union Avenue, Amityville, NY 11701. Burial will follow at Amityville Cemetery, 55 Harrison Avenue, Amityville, NY 11701.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the ASPCA, or the Humane Society.